Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) of standards for analysis of soft biological tissue

Nanostructure initiator mass spectrometry: tissue imaging and direct biofluid analysis

Nanostructure initiator mass spectrometry (NIMS) is a recently introduced matrix-free desorption/ionization platform that requires minimal sample preparation. Its application to xenobiotics and endogenous metabolites in tissues is demonstrated, where clozapine and N-desmethylclozapine were observed from mouse and rat brain sections. It has also been applied to direct biofluid analysis where ketamine and norketamine were observed from plasma and urine. Detection of xenobiotics from biofluids was made even more effective using a novel NIMS on-surface extraction method taking advantage of the hydrophobic nature of the initiator. Linear response and limit of detection were also evaluated for xenobiotics such as methamphetamine, codeine, alprazolam, and morphine, revealing that NIMS can be used for quantitative analysis. Overall, our results demonstrate the capacity of NIMS to perform sensitive, simple, and rapid analyses from highly complex biological tissues and fluids.

Mass spectrometry of trace elements in biological samples

Mass spectrometry is a powerful analytical tool for determining the isotope ratios and concentrations of trace elements in various samples at levels ranging from major constituents to subparts per billion. Because isotope dilution is free from matrix effects, it has the potential of being incorporated into a definitive analytical approach that can provide reference values for concentrations in physiological and pathological conditions. In addition, isotope dilution mass spectrometry results are free from the constraints of quantitative recovery of the analyte, an essential requirement in other analytical techniques that is difficult to achieve with complex biological samples. A variety of mass spectrometric approaches have been used for determining the concentration of trace elements in biological samples. The more commonly used are thermal ionization mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry, and gas chromatography mass spectrometry. This article reviews the work on trace element determination in biological samples using different mass spectrometric techniques and highlights the experiments performed by the authors in establishing gas chromatography mass spectrometry.

Formation and emission of tetraalkylammonium salt molecular ions sputtered from a gelatin matrix

A gelatin matrix was simultaneously doped with nine equimolar, homologous, tetraalkylammonium salts ranging in mass from 210 to 770 Da. Bombardment of the sample with kiloelectronvolt ions resulted in a nonidentical distribution of relative cation intensities with a maximum at m/z 242 for samples with a total salt concentration of 0.004 g of salt/g of gelatin. A rapid increase in relative intensities with increasing mass is observed for the low mass salts and is believed to be linked to changes in the ionization efficiencies. The changes in ionization efficiencies are likely related to decreasing coulombic attractive forces between the organic cation and the counterion. Disappearance cross sections, determined from decay curves, indicate that sputter-induced damage increases with increasing mass of the cation. Fragment-to-intact cation ratios also suggest that damage accumulates fastest in the heaviest salts. These observations indicate that desorption yields of the organic salts in a gelatin matrix decrease with increasing mass. In addition, suppression of lower mass tetraalkylammonium salt intact cation intensities was observed for salt-in-gelatin concentrations greater than 10(-3) g/g.

Auger electron spectroscopy of dentin: elemental quantification and the effects of electron and ion bombardment

Auger electron spectroscopy was used in this investigation to quantify the elemental composition of various dentin surfaces. The surfaces included the "smeared layer," produced by abrasion, as well as surfaces prepared by fracturing in vacuum and in air. Quantification was aided by spectra obtained from standard samples of the two main components of dentin, hydroxyapatite, and collagen. Experimental conditions were found whereby the samples could be analyzed without conductive coatings. Ion sputter etch rates were measured for dentin, hydroxyapatite, and collagen. Under the conditions used here, it was observed that collagen etched at a rate approximately five times greater than hydroxyapatite. Auger spectra of the sputtered surfaces indicated significant ion beam-induced sample changes in collagen and dentin; no significant changes were found with hydroxyapatite. The results of this investigation demonstrate that Auger electron spectroscopy can be used to characterize dentinal surfaces and that ion sputtering can cause changes in the surface composition of dentin.

Doped gelatin films as a model matrix for molecular secondary ion mass spectrometry studies of biological soft tissue

Porcine gelatin films doped with a number of biological compounds at various concentrations and prepared by spin-casting have been used as model biological tissue matrices for studying organic ion emission in molecular secondary ion mass spectrometry. For many compounds, portions of the working curves were found to be linear over several orders of magnitude in concentration. Detection limits for the, analyzed compounds were in the parts per million range for several organic salt compounds but high (0.1 wt%) for others. Owing to the presence of a significant chemical background, the poorest detection limits were generally obtained from compounds with low molecular weights. Secondary ion yield matrix effects, indicated by a reduction in ionization efficiency at higher concentrations, were observed for several organic salt compounds.

Biological microanalysis by secondary ion mass spectrometry: status and prospects

Secondary ion mass spectrometric (SIMS) analysis of biological problems is an evolving technique. Lateral resolution of currently available commercial instrumentation estimated from actual samples is 0.5 micron, and subcellular organelles can be distinguished. The interrelationship of lateral resolution, elemental concentration and ionizability are, however, important in controlling the actual lateral resolution achievable. Although depth resolutions of 5 nm have been measured in other systems, no test of depth resolution in biological systems has been done, and this parameter is also concentration and ionization dependent. The development of liquid metal ion sources in combination with scanning ion microprobes has a potential lateral resolution of as little as 20 nm, but initial studies with this instrumentation show that tissue preservation at the submicron level becomes an important issue. The current development of a cold-transfer stage for SIMS instruments may obviate the problem of submicron localization of diffusible elements, and initial studies indicate that much more needs to be understood about the ionization process in hydrated samples. Quantitation of diffusible elements using external standards has been achieved over a 30 micron diameter analyzed area. Strategies for analysis of areas limited to 1 micron or less has been suggested using image processing techniques, which take advantage of the lateral resolution inherent in the ion optical system. Matrix effects in biological tissues have been reported and constitute a serious problem for analysis of biologicals which must be addressed for each question. However, development of laser ionization of sputtered particles may both increase the sensitivity of analysis and decrease the importance of ionizability of elements. Chemical analysis of organic molecules is another use of SIMS, but, at present, at the cost of losing localized information. SIMS analysis of biological samples is being systematically evaluated and requires increased accessibility of this instrumentation to the end-user for full development of its role in physiological problems.

Quantitative microlocalization of diffusible ions in normal and galactose cataractous rat lens by secondary ion mass spectrometry

Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) is a surface analytical technique with high sensitivity for elemental detection and microlocalization capabilities within the micrometre range. Quantitative analysis of epoxy resins and gelatin have been reported (Burns-Bellhorn & File, 1979). We report here the first application of this technique to quantitative microlocalization in the context of a physiological problem--analyses of sodium, potassium and calcium in normal and galactose-induced cataract in rat lens. It is known that during the development of galactose-induced cataract the whole lens content of potassium is decreased, sodium is increased and, in late stages, calcium concentration increases. Whether these alterations in diffusible ions occur homogeneously or heterogeneously is not known. Standard curves were generated from epoxy resins containing known concentrations of sodium, potassium or calcium organometallic compounds using the Cameca IMS 300 Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometer. Normal and cataractous lenses were prepared by freezing in isopentane in a liquid nitrogen bath followed by freeze-drying at -30 degrees C. After dry embedding in epoxy resin, 10 microns thick sections of lens were pressure mounted on silicon wafers, overcoated with gold, and ion emission measured under the same instrumental conditions used to obtain the standard curves. Quantitative analysis of an area 27 microns in diameter, or a total analysed volume of 1.1 microns3, was performed by using a mechanical aperture in the ion optical system. Ion images provided qualitative microanalysis with a lateral resolution of 1 micron. Control rat lenses gave values for sodium and potassium content with a precision of +/- 17% or less. These values were compared to flame photometry and atomic absorption measurements of normal lenses and were accurate within 25%. Analysis of serum and blood also gave accurate and precise measurements of these elements. Normal rat lenses had a gradient of sodium, and, to a lesser degree, of potassium from the cortex to the nucleus. Development of galactose-induced cataract was heterogeneous by morphological criteria, beginning at the lens equator and spreading from the cortex into the nucleus. However, the loss of potassium and increase in sodium concentration occurred at early stages in both the cortex and nucleus cells, possibly because these cells are interconnected by gap junctions. There is a local alteration in elemental content prior to morphologically demonstrable cataract formation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Selection of calcium isotopes for secondary ion mass spectrometric analysis of biological material

The use of stable isotopes as tracers for elemental localization is a function of the background count rate which is dependent upon both the natural abundance and the quantity of interferences at the nominal mass. The occurrence of a variable and unpredictable high background count rate at mass 44+ in biological tissue, probably CO2+, limits the usefulness of this isotope for physiological problems.

The site of action of lithium ions in morphogenesis of Lymnaea stagnalis analyzed by secondary ion mass spectroscopy

Exogastrulation as a disturbance of development in eggs of Lymnaea stagnalis is caused by the action of LiCl at the second cleavage stage and not at the first or third. The percentage of exogastrulae formed is strongly concentration dependent. To determine the site of action of lithium ions, the cellular contents of Li, C, Na, Mg, P, K, and Ca were analyzed by secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS). The mean elemental concentrations of Na, Mg, K, and Ca are close to those found earlier by electron probe microanalysis and atomic absorption spectroscopy. Lymnaea eggs at the first, second, and third cleavage stage were treated with LiCl in a series of concentrations ranging from 50 to 0.1 mM. In all cases the cells contained a few mM lithium after treatment. After treatment at the insensitive first cleavage stage the lithium content is carried over by the cells through the sensitive second cleavage to the insensitive third cleavage stage. These data allow the conclusion that it is the external lithium concentration which is responsible for the specific effect. This presents direct analytical evidence that the primary action of lithium ions is located at the cell membrane.

Applications of secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) in biological research: a review

Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) is a potentially valuable but not fully exploited technique for problems in biological research. It is valuable because of: (1) detection of all elements and isotopes from mass 1, hydrogen; (2) high sensitivity for physiologically important elements, Na, K, Mg, Ca; (3) ion imaging of elements in areas as large as 250 micrometers in diameter with a lateral resolution of 0.5 micrometers; (4) promising efforts at quantitation at levels as low as 0.1 mmol/kg; (5) ability to analyse sequential layers to form a three-dimensional analysis. The problems which complicate its use are primarily variations in ion emission, presence of poly-atomic interferences and tissue preparation. Examples are cited of SIMS analysis of biomineralization, botany, toxicology and physiology, mostly by ion imaging techniques. SIMS has not yet been fully exploited for any single biological problem. In particular, studies using isotope discrimination, quantitative analysis and depth profiling will enhance the usefulness of SIMS as a technique for biological research.